March 29, 2024

Wednesday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/21/2017

Security threats on voting system loom as Florida's elections officials gather

Voting experts in Florida, the national epicenter of electoral suspense, have one concern above all others as they prepare for the 2018 election: Cybersecurity. Efforts by Russian hackers to attack computers in Florida last fall failed, but shed light on potential vulnerabilities. [Source: Times/Herald]

See also:
» Elections officials outgunned in Russia’s cyberwar against America
Quick poll:
» Are you concerned about the security of Florida's election/voting sytems?

Nicklaus Children's Hospital enhances the care environment with new advanced pediatric care pavilion

Patients of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s three intensive care units and its hematology-oncology and neurology-neurosurgery units have moved into the hospital’s newly opened Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion, a six-story 213,000-square-foot tower featuring the latest technical and family-centered advancements. Full story here. [Sponsored report]

Legislation would make major changes to Florida's building code

Legislation making major alterations to Florida’s building code got bundled with more than a dozen other changes in construction law this past session. Now, a coalition of building officials and people tied to the insurance industry fear the legislation could lead to a patchwork of requirements and higher insurance costs. [Source: WJXT]

Researching Florida’s H-2A farmworker program

The U.S. Department of Labor reports Florida hosted nearly 18,000 agricultural guest workers under H-2A visas this year. That’s more than any other state and by far the largest category coming to the state under similar work visas. Ph.D. candidate Bryan Moorefield, who has been studying guest workers in Florida's citrus industry, says 91% of the H-2A workers are from Mexico, the majority are male, and are young. Full story from WGCU, here.

Popular flood insurance program in jeopardy if Congress doesn't save it

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), operated by FEMA, is set to expire at the end of September. The NFIP covers nearly 5 million homes across the country, but 40% of customers, over 1.7 million, are Floridians. [Source: WFTS]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Sunrun expands solar access to Florida 
Sunrun, a San Francisco-based rooftop solar company, has enlisted two of the authors of last year's successful renewable-energy constitutional amendment to help promote the firm's entry into the Florida market. Also read more at WJXT.

› Rent vs. Buy: The commercial real estate debate in Gainesville
Commercial real estate leasing options are growing in Gainesville and investment options remain strong. But as a successful small business owner looking to take the next step in growth, the question remains, do you rent or buy?

› First Coast Consumer Price Index shows signs of strengthening
On the heels of several months of positive economic news for the First Coast, May’s Consumer Price Index showed signs of strength as well. The measure of the price of goods in the area increased in May, jumping form 123.41 in April to 125.13 after seasonal adjustments.

› Florida city to alleviate water shortage with Israeli technology
Hoping to help curb the severe drought that has overtaken South Florida in recent years, the suburb of Miami Gardens is partnering with an Israeli company that generates water from thin air.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

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Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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